Two security officers of Operation Zenda, a Joint Security Task Force (JTF) in Benue State, were reportedly killed at a checkpoint along the Otukpo-Ohimini Road by unidentified assailants.
The officers, who were identified by a source who do not want his name in print, as Akpan Ogbole, an Inspector of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and Abechi Oche of the Nigeria Forest and Hunters Services, were killed at their duty post.
According to the source, the duo who sustained gunshot wounds during a gun battle with the attackers were rushed to the Otukpo General Hospital.
He said, “The officers later died while receiving treatment, and their bodies have been deposited at the hospital morgue.”
The source disclosed that the assailants carted away one AK-47 rifle belonging to the police officer and one pump-action gun belonging to the Forest guard.
Our correspondent also gathered that a tactical team led by the acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) has been deployed to the Orukpo area command to coordinate operations aimed at arresting the perpetrators.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Udeme Eden, who confirmed the killing in a WhatsApp statement, simply said, “Sorry the matter is under investigation.”
